2010 Aston Martin Rapid High Performance Sport Saloon Review

Aston Martin Rapide is a four-door, high-performance sport saloon, which British luxury marque Aston Martin plans to introduce in early 2010 to compete with the Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, along with the upcoming Audi A7, Porsche Panamera, and Lamborghini Estoque. The Rapide name is a reference to the Lagonda Rapide, a saloon car produced by Lagonda, now part of Aston Martin. The car is based on an Aston Martin DB9.

Aston Martin Rapide Specifications

Body

* Four door body style with 4 individual seats
* Extruded bonded aluminium VH body structure
* Aluminium, magnesium alloy and composite body
* Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
* Single bi-xenon headlamps with integrated LED side lights and direction indicators
* LED rear lamps and side repeaters.

Engine

* All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12
* Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
* Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves
* Compression ratio 10.9:1
* Max Power 350 kW (470 bhp / 477 PS) at 6000 rpm
* Max Torque 600 Nm (443 lb ft) at 5000 rpm
* Acceleration 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds; 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.3 seconds (predicted)
* Max Speed 188 mph (303 km/h) (predicted)

Transmission

* Rear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2′ six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control system
* Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft
* Limited slip differential
* Final Drive Ratio 3.46:1

Steering

* Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock-to-lock
* Column tilt and reach adjustment

Wheels & Tyres

* 20″ alloy wheels
* Front Bridgestone Potenza 245/40 R20
* Rear Bridgestone Potenza 295/35 R20

Suspension

* Front Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
* Rear Independent double wishbones with anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
* Adaptive Damping System (ADS)

Brakes

* Front Dual cast brake discs 390mm diameter with six piston calipers
* Rear Dual cast brake discs 360mm diameter with four piston calipers
* Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
* Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
* Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
* Traction Control
* Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA)
* Positive Torque Control (PTC)
* Electronic Park Brake (EPB)

Dimensions

* Length 5019 mm (197.6″)
* Width (including mirrors) 2140 mm (84.3″)
* Height 1360 mm (53.5″)
* Fuel Capacity 90.5 litres
* Kerb Weight 1950 kg (target) (4299 lb)

Interior

* Full grain leather interior
* Walnut facia trim
* Iridium Silver centre console outer finish and Graphite inner finish
* Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror
* Auto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (USA and Canada only) *1
* Electrically operated front seats
* Memory front seats and exterior mirrors (three positions)
* Dual stage driver and passenger front airbags
* Front occupant side airbags
* Head protection airbags for front and rear occupants
* Heated front and rear seats
* Heated rear screen
* Automatic front and rear temperature control
* Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
* LED map lamps and ambient lighting
* Trip computer
* Cruise control
* Hard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system *1,2
* Bluetooth telephone preparation *1
* Satellite radio system (USA only)
* Powerfold exterior mirrors
* Front and rear parking sensors
* Tyre pressure monitoring *1
* Alarm and immobiliser
* Remote-control central door locking and boot release
* Battery conditioner
* Tracking device (UK only) *3
* Boot mounted umbrella

In Car Entertainment

* 1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with ICEpower® technology
* Integrated Apple iPod® connector *4
* USB connector with Windows Media Audio (WMA) and MP3 audio file compatibility
* 3.5 mm auxiliary input socket

Options

* Cooled front and rear seats
* Twin screen rear seat entertainment system with 6-disc DVD player, auxiliary input, wireless headphones and remote control
* Alternative facia trim finishes – Mahogany, Piano Black, Bamboo, Tamo Ash, Double Apex Alloy, Nexus Alloy
* Matching wood door trim
* Colour-keyed steering wheel
* Second glass key
* Magnum silver rear lamp infills
* Delete model badging
* Delete protective tape
* 20″ alloy wheels with graphite finish
* 20″ alloy wheels with polished finish
* Alternative brake calliper finish – black, red, silver
* Personalised sill plaques
* Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
* Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)
* Tracking device *1,3
* First aid kit
* Ashtray and Cigar Lighter